by Niklas Wildhagen

Champions league finalists FC Bayern München have made a move to bolster their defense for next season while an American international has re-signed with his Bundesliga side while a Croat international leaves his for another German club. Jefferson Farfan and Tim Wiese are also in the news as speculation as to where they’ll perform next season intensifies.

Bayern sign Dante, Olic leaves for Wolfsburg

One of the worst kept secrets in German football for the last few months has been the transfer of Gladbach defender Dante to Bayern but it was made official today: Brazilian defender Dante will leave Borussia Mönchengladbach at the end of the season and join Bayern München. The 28-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the Bavarian club for a transfer fee of 4.7 million euros, according to Bild. After his move to Bayern was revealed Dante told the press:

Bayern are one of the world’s biggest clubs and there I can have the chance to play at the very highest of levels and win titles. I am now 28 years old and want to take that next step in my career.

Dante is now the third current Borussia Mönchengladbach player who will leave the club at the end of the season — coveted young attacker Marco Reus has already signed for Borussia Dortmund, while defender Roman Neustädter is leaving the club at the end of the season on a free transfer to Schalke.

Ivica Olic confirmed on Thursday that he’ll be leaving Bayern München at the end of the season. The Croat has signed a two-year deal at Wolfsburg.

Timothy Chandler has chosen to stay at Nürnberg despite the interest of VfB Stuttgart.

US international Timothy Chandler was heavily linked with a move to VfB Stuttgart according to several recent German media reports. The Frankfurt born right back has now opted for a contract extension at Nürnberg, signing a deal until 2015, despite the interest from the Europa League candidates. Chandler has made 40 appearances in the Bundesliga for Der Club since being promoted to the first team 15 months ago. Chandler has appeared at both right and left back, and also on the wing, for the USMNT and has earned eight caps for the Americans since 2011. After his contract extension Chandler told Bild:

It is an honour that a team which will play in an international competition next season was interested in signing me. However, I want to take part in the developments happening here in Nürnberg.

Farfan willing to make sacrifices

Peruvian international Jefferson Farfan wanted a fee of 14 million euros to sign a new contract at Schalke during the winter. Negotiations between Farfan’s main adviser Raul Jordan and Schalke broke down, because of this demand, but it now appears that Farfan will stay with Die Knappen. Farfan, who frequently looks to be heading to another team, has nontheless been with Schalke since 2008, making 147 appearances for the club in all competitions while scoring 33 goals.

Kicker writes today that Schalke and Farfan are closing in on a deal. Horst Heldt is quoted by the paper saying:

He has felt how important Schalke is for him, and he is feeling at home here. The fans have been giving him positive emotional support all this time, and they should be given a lot of credit for this.

Tim Wiese negoiates with Real Madrid

Markus Babbel revealed in today’s Bild that Tim Wiese is negotiating with Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan after earlier rumors this week that Wiese would sign with Babbel’s Hoffenheim squad for next season. Babbel told the paper that he hasn’t given up on signing the German international, saying:

I want Tim Wiese, because I have a high opinion of him, and signing him would help us.

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Author:Niklas Wildhagen

Niklas is a 28-year-old football writer and podcaster who has been following the Bundesliga and German football since the early 90s. You can follow him on Twitter, @normusings, and listen to his opinions on @TalkingFussball and on the @AufstiegPod.

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The Bundesliga Fanatic is an English language twist to German football. Our aim is to further publicize and spread the history, culture, quality,and competitiveness of the Bundesliga and everything relating to German football to the english speaking world.